The Arrival

Season 1, Episode 4, Aired
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Episode Summary

The team investigates a strange cylinder, found in a deadly explosion at a construction site in New York City. The cylinder was in the middle of the explosion and was completely unharmed. Olivia uncovers a correlation between different disturbing events.
8.9
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Fan Episode Reviews (24)

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  • It just irks me that they stole so blatantly from one of the best sci-fi shows ever.

    2.0
    "Terrible"
    By D_Mills, Nov 16, 2011 Report Abuse
    I wasn't too sure about this show to begin with, it felt like a slower, more cheesier, version of the X-Files. I'm the kind of person that doesn't stop watching a show after I see one episode of it, precisely why I still watch Heroes, and watched Charmed. I stuck with the show through three horribly slow uninvolved episodes, maybe they were bad because the show was thought to tank, who knows, but when the fourth episode began about an hour ago I felt a rush of nostalgia as "The Observer" brought back fond memories of the cheese filled, yet oh so charming, X-Files, the charming bit something this show lacked. I was finally interested and the show didn't drag on as it did before. It was more of a push and pull though, but what I would expect after the three prior failed attempts to woo me, I was a little apprehensive. It went well until it got to the scene when Peter attacked "The Observer" from out of nowhere, and this is the reason for me making an account and making a post that possibly no one will read. Peter and The Observer got into and Peter started yelling, then it turns that The Observer is copying everything Peter is saying (gasp!) then, what's this? Now Peter is copying The Observer, oh my! This might be shocking if I hadn't seen it before on the Doctor Who episode "Midnight" it just irks me that they stole so blatantly from one of the best sci-fi shows ever. Also find it odd that I found nothing on this around the internet, although a quick look on Google isn't much digging. Now it could all just be a big coincidence since the shows did only air a few months apart and all that jazz, so I'll give Fringe the benefit of the doubt and finish of the first season before I decide to give up on it entirely or catch up to where it is now.moreless

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  • Hello Liv.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By becksdakex, Sep 12, 2011 Report Abuse
    This episode really brings on the Fringe mystery. The strange observer, is he even human? Father and son relationship, hints on the past. Why does the observer get involved and saves someone, only for the mysterious cylinder?What is the cylinder? How could Peter know something he didn't? And John, how can he call but not call and then show up? What did Massive Dynamic do to him? Is Olivia going nuts of stress?
    Don't get me wrong, I loved the episode but it left me unsatisfied, no answers only questions. I would go mad if I didn't already have whole season on dvd. Now the next one. Yey!moreless

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    0 0

  • Better...

    8.0
    "Great"
    By Parricida, Jun 19, 2011 Report Abuse
    I had almost given up on this serie as after the promising pilot, I felt, everything else have been quite disappointing but no.. this episode tried to restore my faith.

    I loved the way this had some kind of person meaning and connection to Peter and finding his purpose on this as we had settled reason for Olivia quite well.. It was not question about Walter but he was little bit of loose end and now they tied it. So.. that was good.

    Also the case.. it was quite good. I mean, there was mystery, some leads, some answers and more questions.. And the ending was even more promising.moreless

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    3 0

  • A mysterious cylinder arrives from underground in Brooklyn. Olivia recognizes the existence of the bald Observer. Walter hides the cylinder. Olivia and Peter must figure out where it is and what it is. Peter has a change of heart based on experiences.moreless

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By jyarter, Aug 12, 2010 Report Abuse
    Much clarification occurs if you can call it that. We still have as many or maybe more questions than before but we find out a lot more about Peter and Walter, their relationship changes, and Peter gets a lot of answers and opens his eyes to what is going on.

    Peter was leaving but he has changed his mind based on the experiences in this episode. He's now committed to seeing whatever this is through. I believe his relationship with his father changes as well as his understanding. The bald man they called the Observer is more part of both of their lives than he ever knew.

    Walter has to build his trust factor up with Astrid after betraying her for the good of everyone. That was not a very trusting way to do things and in the long run I think he is going to start to have to understand that.

    For Olivia things have become even more complicated. She has killed another perpetrator and is being forced to extend herself way beyond the level I think she ever dreamed. I think she must be very tired about now and then she gets the shock of her life at the end of the episode.

    A much needed episode after the clutter and cryptic messages from the previous episode. Not that we really understand more but we have more of a feeling of being part of the story and part of the team. As a viewer we are brought more in as participants and everything is not a new unsolved question. At least we are players in the game. I think this is going to be an integral part of keeping the viewers for this show. Thanks for reading...moreless

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    2 0

  • This is the episode that I was waiting for - The episode that change your eyes and make you want to see the entire season.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Dante_Edy, Aug 12, 2010 Report Abuse
    After 3 episodes waiting to see what this series could offer I was losing any faith I had in this show, the mystery is not bad, we have connections, but there was things that didnt convince me to make me want to see the entire season, but this episode for now changed that.

    The beginning is very strong and super mysterious and the all episode follows that, what is more interesting in Walker involvement which added more mystery. Another thing that I liked is the fact that Peter had not reason to stay until this episode, which developed him in that way. The revelation by the end was very interesting and the last scene is simple shocking, make you want to see the next episode. The bold man is another great mystery, speaking of mysteries, the guns showed in this episode arent normal.

    Overall, this is the first episode that I think that deserves a 9, the episode began strong and very mysterious and the development was superb.moreless

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    2 1
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • When Olivia is showing Peter pictures of the Observer, she shows him one from a hospital. He is standing in front of a wall in the middle of the picture. When she shows the pictures to Broyles, the hospital picture is different. The Observer is now moving away from the camera and much harder to see. Edit
    • At the very beginning of the episode a poster with the words "Unlock Your Hidden Potential" can be seen on the lamp post. This is the clue for the next episode, "Power Hungry." Edit
    • Trivia: The glyph cipher spells "rogue". Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Blair Brown is credited but doesn't appear. Edit
    • Music: Crazy (Willie Nelson), King of the Road (Roger Miller) Edit
    • In September 2008 Joshua Jackson (Peter Bishop) was rushed to the hospital when a copper wire was shoved up his nose and hit a vein during a stunt. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Walter: Have you never taken anything that didn't belong to you because you knew it was the right thing to do? Peter: This isn't about me. Walter: Maybe it is, Peter. Edit
    • Walter: We need...we need something very important. Peter: What? Walter: Aluminum foil. Peter: Why? Walter: Trust me... Peter: No, thank you. Walter: Damn it! (talks calmly but sternly) Must you always be such a smart ass? Edit
    • Walter: Where are you going? Peter: It occurs to me it might be easier to sleep in the tub. Walter: A root beer float. Delicious. Peter: Next time, would you please drain the tub? Walter: Oh yes, indeed. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Broyles: What it looks like he's doing is watching. Observing. Which is why we refer to him as "The Observer." Referencing the Marvel Comics character, The Watcher: a powerful but enigmatic bald humanoid alien whose purpose is to observe and record events of significance. Edit
    • Peter: Your friend, he's a tall guy, right? Pink? Big fuzzy ears? This is a reference to the 1950 movie Harvey, in which the main character, Elwood P. Dowd, claims to have an invisible friend that takes the form of a 6 foot tall pink rabbit which only he can see. Edit

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